nXZEN are known for the production of Bluetooth headsets and their noise cancelling technology adds a level of sophistication to this commodity product. Their latest offering allows you to join the world of Bluetooth to Skype (or VOIP) with the nXZEN VOIP headset.

The Bluetooth headset itself is a V 1.2 device and measures 59.9mm x 28.5 mm and will not trouble your ears with its 17 grams weight. It is in effect a noise cancelling Bluetooth headset and based upon technology that we have reviewed and found to be highly capable before (the nXZEN 5000). What nXZEN have achieved this time is to integrate a VOIP solution which is then bundled with the headset.

As we have seen from several attempts this is much easier said than done and specialists like the chaps at Vitaero (formerly Skype Headset) have spent a great deal of time and effort on getting the joining of a BT headset and a PC correctly. The nXZEN VOIP package comes with a small CD which contains their VOIP client software. The install is pretty simple and the client is a lightweight application which sits in the PC's toolbar. The first task is to pair the Gennum headset with the supplied Bluetooth dongle, the USB dongle is a small black affair which is about the size of a standard thumb drive.

The client application lets you control the pairing and choose your own pass code (the default is 0000) pressing and holding the pinch button on the headset enters pairing mode and the two devices quickly find each other and set-up a trusted pair. This would normally be the end of the story for a Bluetooth headset and a mobile phone, but the VOIP client requires you to set-up Skype. There is an option to download the latest version of Skype or you can just select the correct mode in the client which leads to your Skype client asking you if you want this new application to have access to it.

Having accepted Skype's warning message the PC can now transfer the audio from Skype calls to the Bluetooth headset as a quick test with Skype call test proved. We then tried an incoming call from a landline through Skype whereby both the PC application rang as normal as did the Bluetooth headset. Using the pinch buttons you are able to answer the call without touching the PC which is essential.

Call quality is on a par with the Netgear Skype handset we tested and still have in the office and while reaming within the 10 meter range of the dongle we found the call quality to be as good as you need for Skype or VOIP calls. The client also has an audio mode which allows you to use the headset with other applications, however this lacks the integration that Skype and the nXZEN have.

We do remain to be convinced that a Bluetooth headset is the best way to work when at a PC and wanting to use Skype and the limited 10 meter range doesn't allow you to wander the office for too far before being cut off. However given that you see so many people sat in offices with headsets in ear or even in night clubs! then it seems that there is a market for this package.

You could of course purchase Vitaero and use it with a Bluetooth dongle and another headset and in our opinion you'd get a better package, but this is the easy way with everything coming in one working and reliable bundle. The headset is a high quality item that will still work paired with your mobile phone and has a long 7 hour talk time which helps further to justify the highish price.

The package comes with a main charger (ours was an American plug type) USB charge cable, various over the ear loops and in ear rubbers and the Bluetooth dongle, although we do worry you would easily loose the cap on the dongle.

Overall a nice package which should be available to UK buyers soon

Published - 13/01/2007

More VOIP Reviews-

[ Up ] [ Waitec USB Skype Phone ] [ Dect Skype Phone ] [ Linksys CIT200 Skype Phone ] [ ActionTec Internet Phone Wizard ] [ IPEVO Free-1 ] [ Sony VN-CX1 VOIP Mouse ] [ Actiontec Vosky Call Centre ] [ Logitech Premium Notebook Headset ] [ nXZEN VOIP ] [ Linksys WIP330 Review ] [ Belkin Skype Phone ] [ Netgear Skype Phone ] [ Actiontec Chatterbox VOIP ]